Track your loss of smell
Anosmia or loss of smell significantly impacts your quality of life. Tracking your ability to detect specific scents helps monitor the regeneration of olfactory neurons.
Why track this symptom?
- Measure your sensitivity to different essential oils or household scents.
- Identify if certain scents return before others.
- Keep a long-term record for neurological or ENT consultations.
How Trace helps
Recovery can take months. Trace's long-term history view is perfect for stay-the-course tracking, helping you notice subtle improvements that might otherwise go unnoticed day-to-day.
Common causes
The most common causes of smell loss include viral upper respiratory infections (particularly COVID-19), chronic sinusitis, and nasal polyps that block olfactory receptors. Head trauma can damage olfactory nerves, while certain medications like some antibiotics and blood pressure drugs may temporarily affect smell. Age-related decline and exposure to toxic chemicals or smoke can also gradually reduce olfactory function. Less commonly, neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease or brain tumors may cause smell loss.
When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical attention if smell loss occurs with severe headache, confusion, or other neurological symptoms. Also see a doctor urgently if smell loss follows a head injury or exposure to toxic substances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I track for loss of smell?
Log whether smell is partially or fully lost, when it started, any preceding illness, which scents you can and cannot detect, associated taste changes, and whether any distorted smells occur (parosmia).
How does tracking smell loss help recovery?
A smell log tracks recovery progress and identifies which scent categories return first. For post-viral smell loss, this data helps your doctor decide on smell training protocols and monitor improvement over months.
When should I see a doctor about smell loss?
See a doctor if smell loss is sudden without a cold, lasts more than two weeks after a viral illness, is accompanied by neurological symptoms, or if distorted smells develop. Early intervention can improve outcomes.
How often should I test my smell when tracking recovery?
Test your smell daily at the same time, ideally using consistent household items like coffee, vanilla, or citrus peels. Avoid testing when congested, as this can give false readings. Keep your test items in sealed containers to maintain scent strength over time.
What pattern should I look for that indicates my smell is improving?
Look for gradual expansion in the types of scents you can detect, even if they smell different than before. Sweet and fruity scents often return first, followed by spicy and savory ones. Note if phantom smells or distorted smells appear, as these can be signs of nerve regeneration.
Read the complete guide: How to Track Loss of Smell: A Complete Guide →